Despite strenuous Chinese efforts to crimp the flow of information out of Tibet on the uprising there, the stream of dispatches continues and has begun to confront Chinese leaders with a dilemma: What do they do about the Olympics scheduled to open in Beijing on August 8?

Does China go ahead and risk more adverse reports from the horde of 10,000 athletes, 20,000 foreign journalists, and tens of thousands of spectators who will descend on Beijing? Or do the Chinese renege on their promise to open the country for the games? Or, as has already been speculated in Asia, does China call off the games rather than be subjected to close-up international scrutiny.

President George W. Bush, who has accepted China's invitation to the games, is also being confronted with a dilemma. Does the president, who has emphasized human rights in his foreign policy, go to Beijing and appear to condone the actions of a repressive regime? Or does he stay home and incur the wrath of China's rulers with whom the US already has tenuous relations?

All of this begins to come in to focus tomorrow when the Olympic torch is to be lit in Greece, home of the ancient Olympics, and to start wending its 130 day, 82,200 mile journey ending in Beijing in August. It initiates the showcasing of China's emergence as an economic powerhouse and prominent political actor on the international stage. In sum, the Beijing Olympic games are all about national pride.

Under normal circumstances, anti-Chinese riots in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, might have been passed off as a local disturbance in a China that has recently experienced 75,000 instances of civil strife a year. This time, however, a correspondent for the Economist magazine, published in London, was on the scene by happenstance .

It is ironic, the Olympics became a magnet for unrest in China and potential trigger for war with Taiwan. If China did not host the Olympics, she would not have to choose loosing money/prestige or security as the Tibetans erupted or Taiwan moves closer to declaring independence. The next time the IOC choses a host nation, they need to examine the host nation’s domestic problems and its potential for triggering more human suffering and wars as the Olympic event is used as a opportune time for uprisings.

China is worried about the olympics making them look bad. As long as they occupy Tibet, there will be animosity toward China, no matter what happens at teh olympics.

No one who's been watching the Chinese these last ten years and more is so foolish to trust them. If they're willing to put lead and other contaminants into their exports and the food they feed their own people, why in the world would they hesitate to slaughter Tibetans?

14
posted on 03/24/2008 10:49:44 AM PDT
by E. Cartman
(Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.)

If we go a few things most likely will happen,
Our nosy reporters will find stories somehow about the dirt.
Our athletes will tell of what they have seen.
Our tourists will tell of what they’ve seen and heard.
There are cameras everywhere,
I’ve heard of ticketing problems and food problems and GOD knows what problems and I guarantee ya things won’t go all a-ok there so let’s just go and get a first hand look see at how the chi-coms handle crappola.

It´s not about the Olympics, it´s not about sports or economics at all. It´s about freedom and morale! The entire free world should put low prices aside when it means to support a country that enslaves its citizens!

I understand that JFK isn´t popular among conservatives in America, but he got one thing right:

“Freedom is indivisible. When one man is enslaved, all are not free.”

While we cannot interfere in China and liberate the people of Tibet, we can show solidarity - by cancelling the Olympics, and by starting a boycot of Chinese goods. China is powerful. But in the end, freedom must prevail!

The Chinese have leaders live old and grow wise. However, their generation was the WWII generation and saving face for them is still very much a reality to these men. Tawian is such an issue and if the games are boycotted, they will simply accelerate their option toi move on Taiwan to save face. Considering the Chinese got pretty much all they wanted out of the U.S. (and we recently took some back) I do not see they would feel too intimidated by the West at this moment if they did move on Taiwan in the next couple of years. Just my take...

I can´t get over the ignorance of our societies. Throughout the past decades, everyone felt pretty comfortable by ignoring the Tibet and Taiwan questions. Thankfully, the Taiwans are still free - but a majority of them is trying to bring the country closer to China, on the cost of the minority. Considering the presence of Myanmar/Bhirma in the news these days, I have a bad feeling about Tibet. The Chi-Coms are already taking care of the “problem” their usual way. In a few weeks, everybody is looking forward to see great games, because Tibet will be a non-issue - just like it has been in the past. Depressing!

Around 1936, how much was known of the monster Hitler would turn out to be? IIRC, the world hadn't even known the nefarious designs they had for the Jews, in that year. Contrast that with China's case.

What exactly are the parallels between the Berlin Olympics and the one in Beijing?

The history of the Olympics was much younger then too. We have the benefit of hindsight now. We can see how Hitler used it as propaganda. And, as you say, we already know about the decades of ongoing atrocities the Chinese have and are committing. No excuses this time.

23
posted on 03/24/2008 7:25:45 PM PDT
by TigersEye
(This is the age of the death of reason.)

you take is probably valid. one wishe4s that the chinese leadership will wise up and revert to the wiser old days. it must be very expensive to keep after Tibat and Taiwan in terms of manpower and treasure.

should china decide to do the right thing adn let them go, their esteem in world leadership circles would rise dramatically. that would increase people wanting to do business with them, and their own self respect.

but, alas, they won’t do such a thing - gotta save face doncha know. so the lousy olympics is the most important to them.

24
posted on 03/25/2008 3:41:01 AM PDT
by camle
(keep an open mind and someone will fill it full of something for you)

I know, I look forward to the final global war only for the fact that the new global society will be so much better then these egotistical, selfish national governments. In between now and then, take care fellow Freeper!

I have a dream: China decides to become a fully participating member of the world community. They take the lessons learned by Great Brittain in India and elsewhere, and grant independence to Tibet whilst renouncing all claims on Taiwan. makes the world safer for a whole lotsa folks.

Then China can bask in all that good will and warm fuzzies, and people would become vastly less suspicious of them and ntheir motives. China would no longer be world leader with an asterisk.

27
posted on 03/25/2008 11:16:26 AM PDT
by camle
(keep an open mind and someone will fill it full of something for you)

It’s a good dream. Half the globe is still not in line with what true freedom means, the pro’s and cons of making one’s own choices and being held accountable. When this does occur, we will have a one world-government. My take on this: 40 years away and not before the two mega conglomerate nations clash one more time.

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